CER 2025 remains a pioneer for sustainable rallying in the heart of Europe

• Central European Rally has been continuously expanding its sustainability measures since 2023

• Studies show the high benefits of the World Rally Championship for regional value creation

• Inclusion of people with disabilities is an integral part of all areas of the organization

Not only does the CER have the FIA environmental accreditation at the (highest possible) three-star level, but a study last year also showed that the event generates over €49.2 million in economic impact and €4.1 million in tax revenue for the host region.

The Central European Rally is continuing its course for sustainable motorsport in 2025 with new accents. The unique round of the FIA World Rally Championship with stages in the three Central European countries of Germany, Austria, and Czechia (October 16 to 19) is also playing a pioneering role in international comparison, which fits perfectly with the goals of the WRC: It encourages the organizers of the 12 other World Championship rounds to step up their environmental and climate protection efforts, with the 100 percent fossil-free Rally1 cars being an important building block for CO2-neutral motorsport. Since the debut of the Central European Rally in 2023, the all-electric ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup has been a logical part of the event's supporting program. Under the motto “Motorsport: Innovations for a better future,” numerous measures are also being implemented to make all areas of the event more sustainable. Information on sustainability and, of course, tickets for anyone who wants to be part of the exciting battle between the World Championship stars is available on the official CER website at centraleuropeanrally.eu. 

Speedy environmental protection: the Rally1 cars in the FIA WRC use 100 per cent fossil-free fuel. As part of the supporting programme, the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup shows just how exciting emission-free motorsport can be.

Carpooling reduces traffic congestion

This year, the organizers are once again working to offer visitors a great rally experience while reducing private transport in order to lower emissions and protect residents from traffic congestion. That's why all fans and visitors are being asked to carpool. Around the spa town of Bad Griesbach, traffic flows will also be effectively reduced this year by a shuttle bus system: From the Karpfham festival grounds, shuttles will run every half hour on Thursday (October 16) from 1:30 p.m. to the thermal baths – where a large fan program awaits – and to the spectator points at the opening stage. A compact overview of important rules and requests will also be published at many locations during the rally, as well as in the event's information media, such as the homepage or the event app. This includes, for example, how to deal with waste and specific measures to reduce environmental pollution and emissions. In addition, specially trained eco-marshals will be on hand at all spectator points to provide tips and advice on environmentally friendly behavior. They will not only act as advisors for visitors, but will also play an important role in environmental reporting. The rally's sustainability experts will also be active in relation to participants and the organization. For example, optimized waste concepts are in place in the service park and among the teams, surplus food from the catering areas is donated, and the construction vehicles used in the service park (such as forklifts) use only HVO fuel as a sustainable energy source. In addition, cooperation with regional partners and associations remains an integral part of the event: The catering services come from the respective region and are preferably produced ecologically.

Central European Rally is committed to its social responsibility

The CER is firmly rooted in the host regions in Germany, Austria, and Czechia. The common goal of all organizers is therefore to achieve high economic value creation while keeping the impact on people and nature to a minimum. An economic study commissioned by the WRC promoter confirmed that this desire is not just an aspiration, but a reality. It certifies that the Central European Rally will have the highest overall impact of all World Championship races examined in 2024 – with an economic impact of €49.2 million and €4.1 million in tax revenue. The organizers' current work is also being scientifically monitored. The results of a scientific project carried out by students at the Deggendorf Institute of Technology are being incorporated into the further development of rally events. As part of the “Events x Tourism” project, concepts for combining motorsport, tourism, and sustainable regional development were developed, providing numerous starting points for the further development of the event. The first results will be realized in 2025, including an emotional image film and the strengthening of relationships with regional businesses in all three host countries. Under the patronage of the FIA and in collaboration with the Deggendorf Institute of Technology, a large group of school and university students from the event region will also be invited to the “FIA Career Shift” this year: Contact with organizers, team representatives, and WRC officials is intended to lower barriers to entry and give participants an understanding of motorsport as an exciting field of work.

Inclusion included: since 2023, the Central European Rally's honorary prizes have been sourced from the "Caritas Wolfsteiner Werkstätten" in Freyung. This successful collaboration provided the impetus for a nationwide ADAC project to cooperate with workshops for people with disabilities.

Inclusion as an integral part

The active inclusion of people with disabilities has also been a focus of the work since the Central European Rally's WRC debut. From the outset, a close partnership has been cultivated with the Caritas Wolfsteiner Werkstätten in Freyung, which has since developed into a nationwide ADAC project. Among other things, the workshops produce the honorary prizes for the rally's award ceremony and document bags made from recycled advertising banners, which are used to distribute documents to participants and officials. Spectators with disabilities benefit from barrier-free spectator areas and discounted tickets, which also include an accompanying person. In addition, in 2025, a registration campaign will once again be offered in the service park and at a spectator point of the “Beyond Borders” special stage in Wegscheid, in cooperation with the Bavarian Bone Marrow Donation Campaign (AKB), Leukämiehilfe Passau, and MSC Passau. These measures demonstrate that the CER sets standards not only in terms of sport, but also in terms of society – in the sense of diversity, participation, and social responsibility. This is also emphasized by Nathalie McGloin, FIA Disability & Accessibility Commission President: “I welcome the Central European Rally's commitment to sustainability – from reducing waste and emissions to supporting local communities and creating a safe and inclusive environment for all involved. These are the steps that will make a real difference to the future of our sport.”